Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver – whose campaign for U.S. Senate to this point has been low profile – today sent out an e-mail asking for donations.

“I’m running for the United States Senate because it’s time to make history," Oliver (D-Essex) wrote in the e-mail.

Oliver does not explain what she means by “make history,” but if elected, she would be New Jersey’s first female or African-American U.S. Senator.

The e-mail is significant because it’s one of the first things Oliver has done as a Senate candidate. Late last month, she told the Star-Ledger she would begin campaigning after “wrapping up my legislative business.”

In the email, Oliver went after all three of them. "We need new voices and fresh perspectives. New Jersey doesn’t need a friend of Chris Christie representing us in the United States Senate," she said. "And, we don’t need yet another career Washington politician either. We need real change. Right now."

Conservative activist Steve Lonegan is the favorite to win the Republican nomination. He faces Dr. Alieta Eck in the primary.